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Month: May 2012

Update January 26, 2016: Even though the voters of Michigan voted to rescind the “Emergency Manager” law in the 2012 election, the state legislature, with the approval of Governor Snyder immediately replaced it with a new one which they argued had somewhat less draconian provisions. However, the new law, Public Act 436, is now the center of the controversy in Flint, Michigan. I am saddened and outraged by the callous disregard for human life that appears to have been perpetrated by the Snyder Administration and the designated emergency manager/s, together with state and local environmental officials, all associated with the poisoned drinking water in Flint. When I saw a young African American child cry as he learns that he has lead poisoning Detroit Free Press , I broke down in tears. He faces, along with countless other children and young adults in Flint, grave and long term serious symptoms and conditions too numerous to name. No song at this time can capture my grief and anger for this calamity.

Governor Snyder have you no shame, no humanity?

I recently wrote and recorded (at home) the song titled ” Benton Harbor Blues” (nothing like the song with the same title from the Fiery Furnaces). The song (free download in the “New Songs” section of the site) is in response to the political calamities they have hit the town of Benton Harbor, Michigan. The town has been in the media because of a new law passed in the state of Michigan (under a Republican controlled state legislature) which has raised eyebrows across the US. The law signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder, allows the governor to appoint an “Emergency Manager” who then can do anything he or she sees fit. The emergency manager can sell assets of the town or city, shut down schools and fire stations, fire or hire people, etc. The local mayor, commissioners have no decision making power unless it is given to them by the emergency manager.

The town has several valuable assets but perhaps the most valuable is the lake view property which is a park called Jean Klock Park. Portions of this park were already being used for private development. However, in recent time there was been a battle (lost) over whether it can be turned into an 18 hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. In 2011 Emergency manager Josepth “Joe” Harris blocked resident from using the park for walking for part of the day, which appears to violate the charter. The controversy is outlined in an article in the paper The Michigan Messenger. Harris also drastically reduced the Fire Department and eventually combined it with the local Police department. However, what really disturbed me is that when the voters of the state wished to put the controversial law which Governor Snyder can use to “take over” and city, the signatures gathered to have a referendum on this controversial law on the upcoming ballot, all the signatures were thrown out. Why, because according to the state board of canvassers (in a 2-2 decision) they font size on the initiative document was “too small”. As of late June 2012 it is reported in the Detroit Free Press the status is that the “Michigan Court of Appeals ruled earlier that the petition from Stand up for Democracy to ask voters to repeal the emergency manager law should be put on the Nov. 6 ballot.” According to the paper another group has appealed this ruling to the State Supreme Court.

The lyric of the song include several made up words and phrase. One is “Koched Out”. This is referring to the famous and rich Koch Brothers who are supporters of many right wing politicians. There is also the phrase “ALEC-Kazamed”. ALEC is a conservative organization that is behind much of the neo-conservative legislation that is being put into effect in the states (such as the emergency manager law in Michigan). The word is a play on the famous magical word Alakazam. The reference to “Maddow Too” is to a TV political commentator on MSNBC in the US, Rachel Maddow, who has been one of the few to tell the story I call the “Benton Harbor Blues”. Here are the lyrics.